Severe weather risk expected Tuesday

OSKALOOSA — The National Weather Service said a large area of Iowa should expect to see severe weather Tuesday night. Mahaska and Marion counties are included.

The latest severe weather outlook from the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center included the two counties in the enhanced risk area for severe weather. The severe weather outlooks include six categories, of which enhanced is the fourth-highest in the scale.

Storms are expected to fire across the midwest, with the states of South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois included in the slight or enhanced risk areas.

Forecasters noted in an afternoon update to the news media and emergency officials that the weather potential was increasing across Iowa. Tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds are all expected.

Storms are expected to move rapidly, leading to weather conditions that change quickly with little notice.

Several tornadoes are expected across the region, coupled with large hail that could reach golfball size or larger. All of Iowa could see strong winds with gusts up to 60-70 mph, though that threat is somewhat more targeted toward western Iowa.

The chance for severe weather increases after 7 p.m. and could last into the Wednesday overnight hours, according to forecasters.

Forecasters say those in the state should ensure they have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, including a warning source able to wake them during the night like a weather radio.

Even after the severe weather event clears, there will be several days of strong winds last into the end of the week.

For the Oskaloosa area, there's a slight chance of rain in the afternoon, and then after 10 p.m. Chances kick up after midnight and continue through the day Wednesday.

Winds are expected to gust up to 35 mph in the late evening hours.